Assigned on a scale of 0-10 by pediatric provider attending delivery. A lower score reflects need for further resuscitation and is potentially associated with increased risk of adverse neurological outcomes.

Women with hypotonic labor and a clinical decision to proceed with labor augmentation will receive intravenous oxytocin.

Drug: Oxytocin

Intravenous oxytocin will be administered per the established Labor and Delivery protocol at Parkland Memorial Hospital

Other Name: Pitocin

Active Comparator: Misoprostol augmentation

Women with hypotonic labor and a clinical decision to proceed with labor augmentation will receive oral misoprostol.

Drug: Misoprostol

75 micrograms orally every 4 hours for up to 2 doses.

Other Name: Cytotec

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

16 Years and older (Child, Adult, Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Clinical decision to augment labor

Gestational age > than or equal to 36 weeks

Singleton gestation

Cephalic presentation

Reassuring fetal heart rate tracing

Cervical dilation between 4 and 8 cm

Ruptured membranes with clear amniotic fluid

Intrauterine pressure catheter in place

Less than 200 MVUs in a 10 minute period

5 or fewer contractions in a 10 minute period

English or Spanish speaking patient

Exclusion Criteria:

Non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing at time of enrollment

Meconium stained amniotic fluid

Previous uterine incision

Maternal fever (defined as greater than 37.9 C)

Known fetal anomalies

Placenta previa or unexplained vaginal bleeding

Estimated fetal weight of 4,500 grams or more

Abnormal maternal bony pelvis

Grandmultiparity

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00906347